Sediment stirrer



May 21, 1957 w. P. WOLF 2,793,012

SEDIMENT STIRRER Filed May 6, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l II III) INVENTOR ATTORNEXS May 21, 1957 w. P. WOLF 2,793,012

SEDIMENT STIRRER Filed May 6, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR gill/(II! J. 1751/ I ATTORNEYS 2,793,012 SEDIMENT STIRRER Wallace P. Wolf, New York, N. Y. Application May 6, 1954, Serial No. 427,986

11 Claims. (Cl. 259-122) This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved sediment stirrer and in its more specific aspects aims to provide an alternative and/or improved structure over that disclosed in my earlier United States Patent No. 2,631,826 of March 17, 1953. i

It is an object of the invention to furnish a structure such as this and in which as a consequence of opening or sealing a receptacle, particles forming a part of the contents of the latter will be stirred. Therefore, a proper solution will be maintained and the particles will not remain in a sediment state such that they will form a coagulated or semi-solidified layer.

This will be of obvious benefit in the case of inks, paints, nail polish and other solutions in which the pigment may tend to settle to the bottom of a bottle or receptacle, for the time being rendering the liquid unsuitable for its intended purpose, in that such liquid will largely be vehicle and will not include the pigment or other particles in proper solution.

Still another object is that of furnishing a mechanism of this character which may be produced at a relatively nominal figure and likewise associated at small cost with a receptacle such as a bottle; the entire assembly being conveniently di-scardable after the contents of the receptacle have once been used up.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional side view of a receptacle with one form of the improved sediment stirrer mounted thereon;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 2-2 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the stirrer as shown in these views;

Fig. 4 shows the receptacle as in Fig. 1 with the closure or cap of the same in process of removal;

r Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing an alternative form of stirrer;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 66 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the stirrer as shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of a different form of receptacle than that shown in the earlier views and also illustrating an alternative form of stirrer assembly;

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view taken along the line 9-9 in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional side view of the assembly shown in Fig. 8 with the cover or cap removed; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the stirrer element as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, a receptacle 15 is provided which may be in the form of a truncated cone and provided with a threaded neck 16. A cap 17 closes this bottle and is conveniently made of plastic. Also, a gasket 18 may be carried by the cap and cooperate with the pouring lip of the receptacle to provide a suitable seal. Bottles of this type are, of course, well, known anclused,

e Sw s Patsmfo 2,793,042 Patented May 21, 1957 for example, in the cosmetic industry in connection with nail polish and similar liquids. It is in connection with solutions of that nature that considerable difiiculty is experienced as a consequence of sedimentation.

Also as employed in this industry, the cap may be pro vided with a boss 19 which mounts an applicator stem or brush 20. According to the present teachings there will be interposed between the boss 19 and neck 16 the hub of a stirrer. This element will be rotatable with respect to the bottle. It will turn with the cap or closure 17 as the latter is threaded onto or out of engagement with the neck 16.

That stirrer, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, is conveniently formed of metal. It includes a hub portion 21 provided with upper and lower flanges 22 having normal diameters in excess of the bore diameter of the receptacle neck. As shown especially in Fig. 3, hub 21 is slitted as at 23. Accordingly, it is capable of being constricted to an extent such that the lower flange 22 may be accommed ated Within the bore of the neck. Thereafter, and due to its inherent resiliency, the hub will expand so that the upper flange portion 22 overlies the pouring lip of the bottle while the lower flange extends into the body of the latter below the neck 16. Hub 21 is continued in the form of a preferably flared extension 24 which may have its side portions angularly disposed with respect to its central portion, as indicated at 25. To assure cooperation between boss 19 and hub 21, the former may be formed with serrations 26 and the inner face of the latter may be similarly contoured. With the lower end of this boss rounded, as at 27 in Fig. 4, it is apparent that no difficulty will be experienced in introducing the same into the bore defined by the hub 21. So introduced, a relative turning of the parts will be prevented.

In the form of structure shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 the hub 28 is split or slitted similarly to hub 21. Likewise, it is formed with upper and lower flanges. However, the stirring extension 29 may have a contour slightly diflferent from that embodied in the stirrer as shown in Fig. 3. Also, it conveniently includes an angular extension 30 at its lower end which, as shown in Fig. 5, will lie adjacent the base of the bottle. Therefore, when moved with respect to that receptacle it will function somewhat on the order of a scraper to separate the particles of any sedi- 'mented layer from that base. In common with the form shown in Fig. 3, it preferably extends at an angle to the receptacle axis and substantially parallel to the side wall of that receptacle. In that manner a mechanical agitation of a contained solution will occur when the hubs are rotated with respect to the receptacle.

'In both forms of the invention it is apparent that all parts of the receptacle may be of standard and accepted design and structure. The only modification which may be desirable will be to change the diameter of boss =19. The stirrers are produced and the extensions 24 or 29 thereof are insertedinto the receptacle interiors. The hubs are constricted so that the lower flange portions may ride to points below the bores defined by necks 16.

Thereupon, the tension on them is released and they will spring back to a position at which their flanges have rotatably 'bearing contact wit-h the adjacent end surfaces of the neck. At this time or else previously the receptacles may be filled with the desired solution. The bosses 19 will, of course, embrace external diameters such that they will firmly bear against the bore of hubs 21 or 28. Relative rotation of the parts is positively prevented where serrations such as 26 are formed in the adjacent surfaces of the hubs and bosses. In the case of parts involving smooth adjacent faces as in Figs. 5 and 7, frictional contact will sufiice to prevent relative turning. In thatcase hub 28 should embody a normal diameter slightly, less than that of the boss 19. Therefore as the latter is introduced into the bore of the hub it will slightly expand that element.

In either event, it will be appreciated that when the cap 17 is to be mounted, the end of the brush or applicator 20 will be inserted through the "bore of the hub. This movement will continue until the free end of that unit is disposed to the desired depth within the receptacle. As illustrated, this will normally be adjacent the bottom or base face of the latter. During this final stage of introduction, it is apparent that boss 19 will move into position within the bore of the collar 21 or 28. Now as the threads of the cap and the neck engage and the closure is turned with respect to the receptacle, it is obvious that the stirrer will rotate in synchronism with the cap. So rotating it will agitate the solution to maintain the consistency and particle dispersal thereof. It will also be obvious that as a prerequisite of opening the receptacle, similar agitation of the liquid contents will occur during the unseating of the cap and before the applicator or brush is withdrawn "from the bottle. In the event it is found that greater agitation is desirable beyond that which occurs as an incident to uncoupling the threads, then as these threads clear each other and with boss 19 still bearing against the hub the latter may be further turned.

In the form of structure shown in Figs. 8 to 11 the numeral '31 indicates the .body of a jar or receptacle which mounts a cover 32 by, for example, screw threads 33. Cover 32 defines a screw threaded neck 34 upon which a cap 35 is mounted. An applicator 36 is secured to the base of the cap and may take the form of a brush. Conveniently this stern mounts a flange 37 or otherwise provides a suitable extension.

Mounted upon the base of receptacle 31 is a spring 38. This spring carries an agitator in the form of a discshaped washer 39. The latter is centrally perforated as at 40 to receive stem 36. The diameter of this perforation is less than the diameter of flange or shoulder 37. Therefore the latter may not pass through the washer. The upper face of the washer is slitted and angular extending impeller portions 41 extend from the edges of the openings thus formed. The washer is made of springy material which may be metal. Its diameter is less than that of the upper end of receptacle 31. Extensions 42 project from the side edge of the washer and define in aggregate a diameter or span slightly greater than the inner diameter of the receptacle. Spring 38 tends to normally maintain the washer in a raised position as in Fig. 10.

Preferably the stirrer thus provided is introduced into the receptacle prior to the filling of the latter. With cover 32 removed, a somewhat edge-wise insertion of the assembly may occur. That insertion is permissible due to the resiliency of the tabs or extensions 42 which may be deflected during this stage of operation. In any event, the spring will have its lowermost convolution rest against the base of the receptacle. The washer will rise to the position shown, for example, in Fig. 10. However, further elevation will be prevented as a consequence of the extensions or tabs 42 bearing against the shoulder which defines "the receptacle neck. The latter may now be filled or this filling can be resorted to after cover 32 is mounted. In any event it will be apparent that applicator 36 is introduced to have its end portion extend through opening 40. Flange or extension 37 will bear against the upper surface of the washer. Therefore, as cap 35 is applied to neck 34 the washer will be forced inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8. Incident to engagement of the threads formed in the neck 34 and cap 35, further movement of the washer 'will occur as stem 36 moves. The liquid, with this movement, will displace from a point below the washer to a point above the same.

Therefore with the flaps 41 acting as deflectors a stirringmotion will be. imparted to. the liquid. Sedimentation at points adjacent the side walls of the receptacle will be prevented by tabs 42 which will act as scrapers. In the event that the rise and fall of the washer within the receptacle, which occurs as an incident to loosening and tightening a cap, does not result in sufficient agitation of the receptacle contents then further agitation may be resorted to. For example, with the cap loosened and the flange or extension 37 in engagement with the washer, the cap and applicator may be reciprocated. This will serve to compress and expand spring 38 which will also function as an agitator. Most important, however, it will cause reciprocation of the washer with a displacement of the liquid to points above and below the same. Such functioning will cause a proper solution to be maintained. In the event it is found that difficulty is experienced in introducing the assembly into the receptacle, then the washer may be slitted or split as indicated at 43. With such construction, it is apparent that the edge zones defining the slit may be slightly overlapped and the washer somewhat constricted to facilitate its insertion.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically aforenoted are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A sediment stirrer including in combination a receptacle formed with a neck, a hub rotatably mounted within said neck, an agitator secured to said hub and extending into the interior of said receptacle and a flange forming a part of said hub to normally prevent an axial displacement of the latter and said agitator with respect to said neck.

2. A sediment stirrer including in combination a receptacle formed with a neck, a hub rotatably mounted within said neck, an agitator secured to said hub and extending into the interior of said receptacle, a flange forming a part of said hub to normally prevent an axial displacement of the latter and said agitator with respect to said neck and said hub being split whereby it may be constricted for insertion into said neck and expanded into engagement with said neck.

3. A sediment stirrer including in combination a receptacle formed with a neck, a hub rotatably mounted within said neck, an agitator secured to said hub and extending into the interior of said receptacle, a flange forming a part of said hub to normally prevent an axial displacement of the latter and said agitator with respect to said neck, a cap supportable upon said neck and means carried by said cap and detachably engageable with said hub for rotating the latter.

4. A sediment stirrer including in combination a receptacle formed with a neck, a hub rotatably mounted within said neck, an agitator secured to said hub and extending into the interior of said receptacle, a flange forming a part of said hub to normally prevent an axis displacement of the latter and said agitator with respect to said neck, a cap supportable upon said neck and rotatable with respect to the same and a boss forming a part of said cap and insertable into said hub to provide a releasable clutch structure between the latter and said cap.

5. As an article of manufacture a sediment stirrer to be operatively supported with respect to a receptacle, said sediment stirrer comprising an agitator, a hub secured thereto, said hub presenting a bore, a flange at one end of said hub to have rotatable bearing against a surface of a receptacle and said hub being expandible to establish such bearing.

6. In combination a receptacle including a neck portion, a cap removably mounted by said neck to close the latter, an applicator secured to said cap to extend into the interior of the receptacle, an agitator movably supported by said receptacle and also extending into the interior thereof and means for detachably coupling said agitator to said cap as the latter is mounted by said neck portion whereby said agitator and cap will shift in unison with respect to said receptacle.

7. In the combination as set forth in claim 6, both said neck portion and cap being formed with threads cooperative as said cap is rotated with respect to said neck portion and said agitator rotating with respect to the body of the receptacle under such conditions and with said coupling engaged.

8. In the combination as set forth in claim 6, the receptacle body being enlarged below said neck portion, said agitator having a normal diameter greater than that of said neck portion and means whereby said agitator may be constricted to be insertable through said neck portion.

9. In the combination as specified in claim 8, said constrictible part of said agitator comprising outstanding portions integral therewith.

10. In the combination as specified in claim 6, a hub portion forming a part of said agitator and said hub portion rotatably bearing with its outer surface against neck portion surfaces of said receptacle.

11. In the combination as specified in claim 6, said agitator comprising a hub portion and an extension secured thereto to project at an angle to the axis of the receptacle and within the interior of the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,213,561 Walker Ian. 23, 1917 1,353,443 Wilson Sept. 21, 1920 1,768,012 Stone et al June 24, 1930 2,007,850 Drew July 9, 1935 2,449,818 Olsen Sept. 21, 1948 2,481,352 Sabatella Sept. 6, 1949 2,485,303 Marcus Oct. 18, 194-9 2,631,826 Wolf Mar. 17, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 104,331 Australia June 22, 1938 122,093 Great Britain Jan. 16, 1919 125,722 Germany Nov. 28, 1901 

